Ask Laurie: You ask, I’ll answer

If you could come sit with me on the porch and ask me any question you wanted to, what would it be? Well, ask away! Introducing my Front Porch Friday video series:

Ask Laurie: You Ask, I’ll Answer

Just email your question to me at priority@priorityministries.com (and be sure to let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous), or post it as a comment on the bottom of this page or on any of the Ask Laurie Front Porch Friday posts. And if I answer your question in an upcoming video, you’ll receive a FREE gift:

My CD series We’ve Got a Latte in Common: Celebrating the fine blend of friendships. This 3-CD set will help you discover: The 4 Essentials of Enduring Friendships; Godsends: The Special Friends God sends; and Traits of True (and not-so-true) Friends.

So go ahead — ask me anything, and I’ll see you on the porch on Ask Laurie: You Ask, I’ll Answer.

Your sister,

Gotta question? Just post it below or email it to me at priority@priorityministries.com.

Please note: I am not a professional counselor or therapist. The information and answers I provide are based upon my own study of the Bible and what I’ve learned through my own personal experiences. This information is given with the understanding that I am not offering professional advice. Since the details of your particular situation are fact dependent, you should additionally seek the services of a competent professional or licensed Christian counselor.

21 comments on “Ask Laurie: You ask, I’ll answer”

Hi Laurie, I’ve started studying my Bible again in my effort to get back to the basics and to draw closer to God. I began with the book of James to remember how God wants me to live. What book would you recommend I study next to understand my relationship with my Father and where He wants me to grow?
Blessings to you,
Karen

Dear Laurie, I have just found out that one of my colleagues is beginning the process of separation/divorce-and it’s very heartbreaking as we know this is not God’s will for us. What is the best way to counsel this wonderful believer? I’m really just listening at this point…. should I continue to listen only…(I truly don’t want to say the wrong thing . what are your thoughts? Thank you for taking the time to listen, I look forward to your kind reply.
Marty Pendleton

OK, here is my question. My D.I.L. who claims to be a Christian and our son who is not although she’ll “say he is” when convenient told me that she had a problem with me “taking the initiative” with our grandson and giving him the gospel — WHICH HE ACCEPTED and he understood what he was doing. It was the Lord’s directing through His Spirit. It was so cool to see the Holy Spirit lead and draw him near! My D.I.L said it was a “personal thing” and that I was “undermining” her. She said that it is her “responsibility and privileged” to instigate and nurture their life in Christ. She said if she and her husband were not Christians and we (meanining me and my husband) felt they were being raised in an “unsafe environment” that would be one thing. But that was “not the issue”. So what do I do now? I can say that no matter what is was worth is to see the Lord’s calling on His young life and my husband blubbering over by the kitchen counter that morning! Now what? Our D.I. L. will have nothing to do with us now and it has been quite a while of time passing AND when our meeting “must” occur it is strained on her part. Thanks Laurie.

Hello Laurie! I bought your Beauty by The Book series two years ago when you were in Fredericksburg. I just bought the Teen Series. I feel called to lead a study such as this for PRE teens, and I am realizing they are not spiritually and emotionally ready for this. So, today we stared PRE-Teen Princess Purity Process, and I’m using Jenny Bishop’s Book and Life Lessons called The Princess and the Kiss and I’m trusting God to equip me. I will also be attending our church, Hill Country Fellowship’s BBB for Teen’s class starting tomorrow night… So my question is… Are you working on a BBB for PRE-teens? Thank you for all you do, Laurie, and for your obedience to the Lord

Hi Laurie, the question I want to ask at this time is: Is it okay to attend more than one church? I have a friend who does this and I don’t know whether or not it’s right and I don’t know what to say. It makes me feel uneasy that they attend more than one church. Is it wrong to church hop from one to another? Please help me so I can give them some insight. Thanks! Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!

How do you Biblically Love an adult “prodigal” child when you still have younger children in the home. For example, an adult child not living at home anymore, but does come around for holidays and occasional visits.
You are trying to live a Christian example and staying within God’s boundaries and they laugh or deny your standards, even though they themselves were raised in them and have chosen to turn away from them. You still want them present at holidays and such because they are your children, but their influence is really not edifying for the younger siblings.
Thank you

1. What is your advice for those that struggle with self discipline? How does one attain victory, practically speaking?
2. What does your daily devotional time with Jesus consist of or look like?
3. Did you always feel called to Teach the Bible, how did you start out, did it come naturally?

Laurie! I really enjoyed your series on how to start a home bible study. I have led numerous bible studies/small groups and now I’m really interesting in creating my own bible study curriculum. What are practical steps for that besides picking a passage and coming up with discussion questions and some commentary? How does one go about marketing/packaging a bible study curriculum. Do you have to go through a publisher? Do you do it alone or is it a team effort? Really interested in knowing the nuts and bolts of this. Is there a “Bible Study Curriculum Template”???

Laurie, How do you deal with loved ones who continually gossip when they talk to you? I know I can’t change them, but how can I guard my heart, I can take up an offense so easily, it’s not good for me or them, and I know the Lord is not happy about it so I feel guilty on the one hand, and like a toxic waste cite on the other. I would sure appreciate some wise advice, that’s got practical steps I can practice…Blessings on the porch…

Tough stuff, Debbie, but it’s definitely time to speak truth with lots of love and grace. The next opportunity God gives you, let these loved ones know that the He’s been convicting you about gossip and participating in gossip by listening to it (and it’s best if you can do this one-on-one with them — not in a group setting). First, you need to ask them to forgive you. Next, if and when they begin to gossip to you again, graciously remind them, “You know how I told you that God was convicting me about gossip? Well, right now our conversation is really becoming gossip, so I gotta draw a line.” Then change the subject. Hopefully, they will understand and respect your boundaries. But if they don’t, be prepared to be both loving and firm. Praying for you, sister!

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